1
HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2025 –
ALL QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
AND CORRECT ANSWERS |
PROFESSOR VERIFIED | A+ GRADED
Question 1
Which classification best describes lisinopril?
A. Beta-blocker
B. ACE inhibitor
C. Calcium channel blocker
D. Diuretic
Correct Answer: B. ACE inhibitor
Rationale: Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat
hypertension and heart failure by inhibiting angiotensin II formation, reducing vasoconstriction.
Beta-blockers reduce heart rate, calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels, and diuretics
increase urine output.
Question 2
A patient receiving warfarin should avoid which food due to interaction risk?
A. Bananas
B. Spinach
C. Apples
D. White bread
Correct Answer: B. Spinach
Rationale: Spinach is high in vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin’s anticoagulant effect,
increasing clotting risk. Bananas, apples, and white bread have minimal vitamin K and do not
significantly interact.
Question 3
, 2
What is the therapeutic range for digoxin in adults?
A. 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
B. 2.5–5.0 ng/mL
C. 5.0–7.5 ng/mL
D. 10–15 ng/mL
Correct Answer: A. 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
Rationale: Digoxin’s therapeutic range is 0.5–2.0 ng/mL for treating heart failure or atrial
fibrillation. Levels above 2.0 ng/mL risk toxicity (e.g., nausea, arrhythmias), while other ranges
are incorrect.
Question 4
A nurse is administering morphine. Which side effect requires immediate intervention?
A. Constipation
B. Respiratory depression
C. Dry mouth
D. Drowsiness
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory depression
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a life-threatening opioid side effect requiring immediate
intervention (e.g., naloxone). Constipation, dry mouth, and drowsiness are common but less
urgent.
Question 5
Which drug is contraindicated in a patient with a sulfa allergy?
A. Metformin
B. Sulfamethoxazole
C. Lisinopril
D. Atorvastatin
Correct Answer: B. Sulfamethoxazole
Rationale: Sulfamethoxazole, a sulfonamide antibiotic, is contraindicated in patients with sulfa
allergies due to risk of hypersensitivity reactions. Other listed drugs are not sulfa-based.
Question 6
, 3
A patient is prescribed levothyroxine. When should it be taken?
A. With meals
B. At bedtime
C. On an empty stomach in the morning
D. With milk
Correct Answer: C. On an empty stomach in the morning
Rationale: Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach, 30–60 minutes before
breakfast. Food, milk, or bedtime dosing reduces absorption, decreasing efficacy.
Question 7
Which medication is a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes?
A. Insulin glargine
B. Metformin
C. Glipizide
D. Pioglitazone
Correct Answer: B. Metformin
Rationale: Metformin, a biguanide, is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes due to its
efficacy in reducing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity. Others are
second-line or adjunctive.
Question 8
A patient receiving furosemide should be monitored for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, increases potassium excretion, risking hypokalemia.
Hyperkalemia, hypernatremia, or hypocalcemia are less common with this drug.
Question 9
What is the primary action of albuterol?
A. Vasoconstriction
HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2025 –
ALL QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
AND CORRECT ANSWERS |
PROFESSOR VERIFIED | A+ GRADED
Question 1
Which classification best describes lisinopril?
A. Beta-blocker
B. ACE inhibitor
C. Calcium channel blocker
D. Diuretic
Correct Answer: B. ACE inhibitor
Rationale: Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat
hypertension and heart failure by inhibiting angiotensin II formation, reducing vasoconstriction.
Beta-blockers reduce heart rate, calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels, and diuretics
increase urine output.
Question 2
A patient receiving warfarin should avoid which food due to interaction risk?
A. Bananas
B. Spinach
C. Apples
D. White bread
Correct Answer: B. Spinach
Rationale: Spinach is high in vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin’s anticoagulant effect,
increasing clotting risk. Bananas, apples, and white bread have minimal vitamin K and do not
significantly interact.
Question 3
, 2
What is the therapeutic range for digoxin in adults?
A. 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
B. 2.5–5.0 ng/mL
C. 5.0–7.5 ng/mL
D. 10–15 ng/mL
Correct Answer: A. 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
Rationale: Digoxin’s therapeutic range is 0.5–2.0 ng/mL for treating heart failure or atrial
fibrillation. Levels above 2.0 ng/mL risk toxicity (e.g., nausea, arrhythmias), while other ranges
are incorrect.
Question 4
A nurse is administering morphine. Which side effect requires immediate intervention?
A. Constipation
B. Respiratory depression
C. Dry mouth
D. Drowsiness
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory depression
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a life-threatening opioid side effect requiring immediate
intervention (e.g., naloxone). Constipation, dry mouth, and drowsiness are common but less
urgent.
Question 5
Which drug is contraindicated in a patient with a sulfa allergy?
A. Metformin
B. Sulfamethoxazole
C. Lisinopril
D. Atorvastatin
Correct Answer: B. Sulfamethoxazole
Rationale: Sulfamethoxazole, a sulfonamide antibiotic, is contraindicated in patients with sulfa
allergies due to risk of hypersensitivity reactions. Other listed drugs are not sulfa-based.
Question 6
, 3
A patient is prescribed levothyroxine. When should it be taken?
A. With meals
B. At bedtime
C. On an empty stomach in the morning
D. With milk
Correct Answer: C. On an empty stomach in the morning
Rationale: Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach, 30–60 minutes before
breakfast. Food, milk, or bedtime dosing reduces absorption, decreasing efficacy.
Question 7
Which medication is a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes?
A. Insulin glargine
B. Metformin
C. Glipizide
D. Pioglitazone
Correct Answer: B. Metformin
Rationale: Metformin, a biguanide, is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes due to its
efficacy in reducing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity. Others are
second-line or adjunctive.
Question 8
A patient receiving furosemide should be monitored for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, increases potassium excretion, risking hypokalemia.
Hyperkalemia, hypernatremia, or hypocalcemia are less common with this drug.
Question 9
What is the primary action of albuterol?
A. Vasoconstriction
